Found it! Centuries ago, sleigh bells were fastened to horses to signal the approach of someone important or to warn pedestrians of an approaching vehicle. Sleighs were unable to stop quickly enough so they needed a warning sound. ... East Hampton eventually became known as “Belltown” because it produced so many bells.

I have a number two that I found on a very old road that goes through the woods by our house. There are big oak trees growing right in the middle of the old road in several places between the wheel ruts. I was 8 years old when I found it. At first I thought it was a turtle shell until I dug it out of the clay. I told my daughter just now that it’s one of Santa’s lost sleigh bells. Now she wants it. I said she can have it when she’s a little older.

Great video! We took our kids for a ride on the polar express train this year. Each one of us got a nice bell with a leather tassel. I am going to take the six bells and make a decorative strap with them. I was looking for ideas when I found your video. Nice work! Now I’m asking myself why bells? Was it for safety on roads? Scaring bears and mountain lions away? And why are they associate with sleighs and not really wagons? Now I have to search for that video!

Ok i have noticed the sound that the bells make are way different to the ones made today. The design and sound is unique. unfortunately the sound is very empty on bells made today.

Mine have four holes in the smaller ones and two in the larger ones. These are from the 1800's as they have been in my family since then. The leather is all gone so I am going to make a new strap but not going to remove any patina or the overcast on the holes and slots. Doing that would sweeten the tone but remove the originality of them.

The reproduction bells made in India or Pakistan have the rounded ends on the slit in the bell? Or the antique Bells have the rounded ends in the slit?